Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ Harsh Memories ❯ Saying goodbye ( Chapter 20 )

A/N: Sorry for taking so long in writing this, but my glasses decided to snap off in the middle of the funeral scene. I spent the next few days trying to get them fixed (still not done, I just jerry rigged some tape). Anyways, this is the last chapter.

Iori shivered violently as he awoke in the exceedingly cold room. Hopping out from under the covers, quickly he ran over to the space heater in his room, and quickly activated the small machine (Quick culture note: Most Japanese apartments do not have centralized heating/cooling units. This means that almost every room in a Japanese household has some kind of space heater/stove {save the restrooms... which is why you can now buy self heating toilet covers in Japan ^_^} I didn't think Iori's mother would want him to have anything he would have to light himself so I gave him an electric space heater.) Iori rubbed his hands as the small machine slowly made his room more livable. He shivered softly as his mind suddenly reminded him of what today was. Today was the ceremony for his O-Jii-san.

In a few moments, Iori had gone numb. He tried to make his body move back towards his bed... but his legs where not stable enough to make the trip and Iori soon found himself plummeting towards the side of his bed. His head connected with the end of his bed, sending a shock of pain racing through his system. Iori gave a pitiful yelp of pain before he crumbled onto the floor.

(I do seem to make Iori go unconscious a lot don't I?)

Iori awoke a few moments later wincing in pain as his head throbbed. He gently felt the area that had hit the bed and was relieved when his hand came back clean. He sighed as he attempted to stand once again. Iori successfully made it back to his bed before slowly falling back to sleep.

---------(Nine A.M. five hours till the ceremony)---------

Iori awoke suddenly as he felt someone softly shaking him. The pain from his head was tremendous as Iori managed to open one bloodshot eye. The first thing his eye focused on where two deep pools of blue. He noticed that the pools seemed to radiate fear, and confusion, as they seemed to stare at the young boy. It took Iori a few moments to understand that Takeru was the one shaking him and it took him several more moments tell he could hear Takeru talking in a rushed whisper. "Iori-kun, What the heck happened here? I come in to ask if you wanted to go for a walk for a while and I find you half sprawled over your bed with what looks like the worst bruise you've ever had! What did you do to yourself?" Takeru seemed to be shaking as he asked these questions.

Iori's mind slowly began to work under the shocking pain he was still feeling. He managed to snuggle himself against Takeru as he recounted what had happened that morning. Takeru began to chuckle softly as Iori described how he couldn't manage to work his legs, but silenced himself when Iori told him about falling and hitting his head. Takeru tightened his grip on Iori's body as he realized that the reason Iori had collapsed was the realization of the date. He slowly nuzzled Iori's neck as the smaller boy collapsed into his body. Takeru softly began to rub Iori's shoulders, trying to get the younger boy to relax.

It took Iori a few more minutes of Takeru's ministrations before he was ready to talk once again. "Take-kun... where did you want to go today? I didn't think really think I would do anything till the service..." Iori hung his head suddenly as he was once again reminded of how this day would end. Takeru instantly came to Iori's aid. "I thought we'd go for a walk around the park, and then maybe get something to eat before you had to go to the service Iori-kun. If you don't want to go though, I'll understand," Takeru returned to nuzzling Iori as he cradled the younger boy. "I'd Like that Take-kun... I need to find something to take my mind off of today." Takeru nodded softly as he continued to hold his Koibito.

---------(One hour later)---------

Takeru leaned against an all too familiar tree. He had wanted to come to this park for a long time. He watched as his koibito talked with a few friends from school that had decided that today was a good time to "show their sorrow". Takeru smiled at Iori's polite responses to the gathered group. Finally the last of the well wishers had been dealt with and Iori slowly made his way towards his Koi. "Gomen kun-kun. I really hate having to go through all that."

"I know Iori. You don't have to explain. I went through something similar when my parents split up. All of a sudden, I had a million temporary friends, " Takeru smiled as Iori slowly fell into place next to the blonde.

Takeru was extremely glad that he had convinced the younger boy to leave his apartment this morning. He knew that Iori would have ended up obsessing over his O-Jii-san if he had been left alone. An idea suddenly struck Takeru, and moving as stealthily as possible he managed to worm his way in between Iori and the tree he was resting near. As slowly as possible, so as to not alert the younger boy, Takeru wrapped his arms around his young love. He rested his head on top of Iori's as he felt him stiffen at the sudden contact.

The two boys managed to stay thus tangled till they were forced to return home to prepare for the ceremony.

---------(Two P.M. Buddhist temple)---------

(This should be a long portion. I plan to do each persons thoughts as they approach the alter... but first we have to get to that part of the ceremony ^_^)

Iori's leg where slowly going numb. He had been kneeling in the same position for nearly twenty minutes now, as the priest (I can't remember whether Buddhism has priests or some other form of title) continued with the various rituals. He hated the mixture of feelings that where swimming around his head as he kneeled there. He was still trying to fully comprehend the fact that his O-Jii-san had really died. < I guess this would have been worse if this had been a burial instead of a cremation... I don't think I could have stood to see his body, > A few stray tears began to well up in Iori's eyes as the small boy tried to remain perfectly still.

Finally, the priest began the last part of the ceremony. Iori had been dreading this, as he was in the first row and would have to approach the shire relatively soon. He folded his hands into his lap, and tried to clear his thoughts. This was difficult at first, till he managed to focus on one of his O-Jii-san's old lessons. Closing his eyes, Iori concentrated on hearing his O-Jii-san's words. "Focus yourself on the goal at hand. No matter whether on the battlefield, or in every day life, you cannot allow yourself to be distracted. Once you allow yourself to be distracted, you've already managed to defeat yourself," Iori felt fresh tears well up, as his image of his O-Jii-san began to fade away.

Mustering what remaining courage he had, Iori stood, and made his way towards the alter. Bowing respectfully, he knelt before the small alter, and folded his hands into a familiar prayer pattern. < O-Jii-san... I don't really know what I can say to you. I want to thank you for everything you've taught me in the last 9 years. You where always their for me if I ever came to a moment of doubt. Even now, after your gone, your words still have the familiar calming effect they held so long ago. If it weren't for you and O-Kaa-san I don't know what I would do. You've both been there for me no matter what I do. I wonder if you'd even understand Takeru-kun and me? I know that even if you didn't approve, you'd still love me no matter what, > As Iori finished his thoughts, he bowed deeply, and moved back to allow his O-Kaa-san to begin her own prayer.

As the process dragged on, the other Digidestined eventually began to file past. Iori watched as each one of his older friends stopped briefly and offered up their own prayers to his O-Jii-san's spirit. Finally, his friends came up to give their own thoughts to Chikara's spirit. Hikari walked up first, bowing low in an attempt at showing respect. < I'm sorry... but I never really got to know you. The only real way I can say I knew you was through your Grandson. I know that you and his O-Kaa-san where the ones that really raised Iori, and I have to thank you for doing so. He managed to save us quite a few times during our little adventure and I don't think we could have made it without him, > with a final bow, Hikari walked somberly away from the alter, and joined the various people awaiting the ceremony's end.

Miyako walked somberly up towards the small alter, as Iori watched on. He noticed that she had been crying during the service, as her eyes had a distinct red tint. Iori felt a pang of guilt at having asked her to come to the service, as she began her inner prayers. < I always respected you Hida, O-Jii-san. You where one of the few people who could get Iori-chan to smile, even when he was feeling really down. I envied the ease of which you and your Grandson where able to act around each other. You both seemed to be able to communicate on some additional level that I don't really think I ever obtained. You were also one of my favorite people to talk to when I had a problem. I don't really know how you thought of me, but I always thought of you as my own O-Jii-san, as well as Iori's, > Miyako shivered softly as she left her kneeling position and began to walk back towards where Iori was standing.

Next, Ken walked forward. He seemed to be even more reserved as usual as he approached the alter. He bowed deeply, like the others had done, while kneeling down to begin his prayer. < I don't really know why I'm here. I really hate going to funerals. Too many harsh memories {^_^}. I always think about Osamu when I go to these things. I know this means a lot to Iori-san though... so I felt like I should come to this. He told us a lot about you during our days in the digital world. I know how much he looked up to you and how much you meant to him. This has to be devastating... losing you right after the accident. I can sympathize with his predicament and I only hope that he'll make it through this rough patch. > Ken stood quickly and walked slowly away, while whipping a small sheen of sweat from his brow.

For once in his life, Daisuke looked both calm and dignified, as he made his way towards the small alter. He bowed deeply, knowing the importance that Iori's family put on ceremony. Kneeling, his mind began to talk with itself. < I don't really know why Iori invited me to this. I am not very good with things where I have to act in a specific way. I'm always scared I will do something wrong, or end up embarrassing my friends. I am glad, however, that I have the chance to say goodbye to you. I never really met you, but I know that the bulk of Iori's mannerisms and knowledge came from you, > Daisuke bowed a second time before leaving the small area, and returning to his friends' side. He smiled softly when he saw the appreciative look that Iori shot him.

Finally, Takeru stepped forward. He bowed as deeply as his already sore legs would allow, before resuming his kneeling position. < Chikara-senpai, I just wanted to tell you thank you. I am not sure whether or not you'd approve of Iori and I, but I know that you would want what was best for his well-being. Even if you disliked the idea at first, I am sure that once you had seen the way we care for each other that you would want us to stay together. I only hope that I can live up to the standard you would expect of me. I promise you that I will take care of Iori as well as I can. I won't let either of you down,> with this, Takeru bowed deeply while still kneeling (This is the highest form of respect someone can show you, and it is not usually used), before standing and rejoining Iori and the others.

The rest of the ceremony continued on without problems as a modest reception was held. During which, Takeru never left Iori's side.

A/N: well... this finishes Harsh Consequences. Look for the third part to come soon. It will revolve mostly around what happens a few months later, when Takeru's and Iori's O-Kaa-san's find out about their new relationship. It will be titled "Harsh Regrets".